Satchel clip



Feb 5, 11924.;

R. F. BRACCO SATGHEL CLI P Filed Feb. 23 1922 INVENTUR.

fl- @m HER HTTEI RNEY.

Patented Feb. 5, 1924.

Midi? ROSE F. FRACGO, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SATCI-IEL CLIP.

Application filed February 23, 1922. Serial No. 538,611.

Improvements in Satchel Clips, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has relation to satchels, hand bags, wrist bags and similar articles, particularly such as the shopping bags commonly carried by women, and which usually contain their valuables, purses and the like.

The usual type of locking means applied to such bags is a pair of interlocking knobs on slender stems and the resiliency of the frame parts, to which these knob stems are secured, is depended upon to permit the knobs to pass each Other in looking and in unlocking the bag. But in spite of the resiliency of the frame parts it is found that the pressure onthe knobs, during the opening and closing operations is sufiicient gradually to bend the stems back to such an extent that the interlocking knobs first become insecure and later entirely incapable of holding the bag closed. Frequently, also, one of the knobs will break away from its fastening, causing the owner much inconvenience and expense.

With the foregoing conditions in view the object of my invention is the provision of means, attachable to a bag of the kind specified, for locking such bag securely where the fixed locking devices have become unreliable or entirely useless. A further object is to provide a neat and inexpensive device attachable to various sizes and shapes of such bags. Another object is to provide a device which may be readily attached to any such bag without the use of extraordinary skill or special tools. These objects and the further advantageous features of my invention are hereinafter fully set forth and illustrated in L the accompanying drawing, of which,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a ladys wrist bag embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional end elevation of the bag, substantially taken on a line A-A of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates my locking device as it appears removed from the bag, and

Figs. 4 and 5 show modified structures of my invention.

The bag shown in the drawing is meant to represent the type almost universally carried by women, young and old. The bag proper is identified by the numeral 1, and it is supported by a pair of frames 2 and 3, the outer extremities of which are hinged together, as indicated at a in Fig. 2. A pair of locking knobs 5 and 6 are centrally placed on the frames through the medium of slender stems 7, and 8, substantially as in practice. Usually these stems are merely soldered to the frame pieces, and very easily broken off, particularly when they are bent back a little and the owner tries to force them forward into their original shape and sets them too far over. The reason underlying this difiiculty is, of course, that the stems are not elastic enough to retain their shape during the ordinary hard usage.

The structure of my invention, as applied to the bag, comprises a resilient clip 10, carried by a flexible member 11, which is caused to extend through the material of the bag, within which it is secured by means of a suitable clamp 12. The clip is strong and elastic and sets over the frame parts 2 and 3, extending below these parts, where the arms of the clip turn inward, causing the extremities 10", 10 of the clip to press against the material of the bag, substantially as indicated in Fig. 2. The clip, as stated, is strong and elastic, yet not so strong that it cannot readily be forced into position or withdrawn from the bag frame as desired' But while it readily yields to longi tudinal pressure it will tenaciously resist transverse pressure, such as an attempted opening of the bag would subject it to.

The clip is shown hung on a chain 11, and this is the preferred form of a suspension means. both on account of its strength and flexibility and also because its pleasing appearance adds to the attraction of the device. The opposite end of the chain is fastened to the bag, preferably by project ing the end of the chain through the bag material, and by applying suitable elements to the end of the chain, within the bag, capable of retaining the chain in place. It does not greatly matter as to what shape such anchoring devices are given, so long as they function properly, so long as they are not obstructive within the bag or un-. pleasant for the fingers to come: into contact with, and so long as they do not detract from the appearance of the bag.

A simple device is shown in the drawing,

comprising merely the bent wire 12, a structure so commonly used in detachable buttons that no further explanation is thought nec essary. But it may be objected that this fastening means is not sufliciently pleasing, in which case I may substitute the somewhat more elaborate device of Figs. 4 and 5. This device comprises a clasp 13, such as commonly used on watch chains, and a button 14 provided with a rigidly atfixed eye 15. As shown in Fig. 5, the eye 15 is first projected from the inside through the material of the bag, whereupon the clasp 13 is hooked into the eye and the structure is firmly held in place.

The clip of my device may be made from spring steel or brass, and I contemplate, of course, not only to make it. plain, as shown, but also ornamental and more expensively finished in order to please those who prefer to pay a higher price for a more elaborate device. And it is not necessary that the clip must be made from sheet metal, as indicated, it may indeed be made from any other suitable shape and kind of material, so long as it performs its function properly. Clips held together by a coil-spring are very common in paper fasteners, and may be employed if they are found to lock the bag securely, or a wire clip 20, substantially as shown in Fig. 4, may conveniently be used. In this case a piece of spring wire is formed with a small loop 20, in which the chain 21 is mounted, and the ends of the wire may conveniently be formed into eyes 20 20 for the purpose of obtaining a firmer hold on the bag, and also in order that nodangerous sharp points may be present.

Now it may be suggested that auxiliary means have heretofore been known for maintaining a shopping bag locked, but such means as have come to my notice have been shown pivotally fixed on the bag frame, thereby forming a permanent part of the frame. When such means becomes broken or bent out of shape, it still forms an unsightly part of the frame, and the utility of the bag is impaired. But the structure of my invention is an independent commercial article, obtainable at small cost and attachable to any such bag. hen it is worn out or broken itcan be as readily taken oif and a new one substituted.

I claim:

1. The combination-with a shopping bag of a clip, a chain-extending from said clip for projection through the material of the bag, and a member within the bag for engagement with the projecting end of said chain.

2. The combination with a shopping bag of a detachable bagframe embracing member, a resilient member extendingfrom said clamping member, and a member insertable into the bag for attachment through the bag 1ronaterial with one end of said resilient mem- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

ROSE F. BRACOO. 

